Ginger Limeade

CINCO DE MAYO in the hiiiizzz-ouse.

I know what you want. You want something Mexican, and cheesy with salsa...maybe something that's even sprinkled with cotija cheese and avocado...

But I don't have that. I've got nothing of the sorts. I had plans to do this, I swear. But something happened. A heat wave came ploughing through LA with 90-degree temperatures, and all I had the desire to do was to drink like, everything in the world. Not alcohol-wise, but like, lemonade, iced coffee, limeade, watermelon raspberry slushies, etc.

I did have a plan, though--it involved lots of shredded pork, a fried tortilla and lots of cotija cheese. I didn't make that, obvi. It was too hot. I'm sweating now just thinking about standing over a hot stove with even hotter oil.

Instead I made this...for lunch...and dinner.

Ginger Limeade with a side of Guacamole and chips. The perfect I'm-too-hot-to-eat snack/meal.

And really, it's kind of amazing even if you aren't sweating.

Let me explain...

You squeeze the limes until you have about ¾ of cup of fresh lime juice.

Then there's a ginger syrup you'll need, which is just made of water, agave (or sugar) and minced ginger. If you want more ginger flavor let it simmer for 5 minutes; want less gingery flavor? Less time. Easy peasy!

Combine the rest of the water, ginger syrup and lime juice together...and BOOM! Ginger Limeade!

Other good ideas: juice a half of a cucumber and top if off with cucumber juice! Yum!

Or...add some tequila, gin, or vodka. All good ideas.

And then garnish it with something you kinda want to eat while you're drinking. I chose a slice of a cucumber, candied ginger and a slice of lime.

Welcome to yum-town, population: YOU!

Ginger Limeade

Recipe tweaked from Gourmet

Print this recipe!

3 ½ cups water

4 tablespoons of agave (or ¾ cup sugar)

2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

¾ cup fresh lime juice

Thin lime slices for garnish (optional)

Cucumber slice for garnish (optional)

Candied ginger for garnish (optional)

In a small saucepan stir together 2 cups of the water, agave (or sugar), and the ginger, bring the mixture to a boil, and stir. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Strain the syrup through a fine sieve set over a bowl and let it cool. In a pitcher combine the cooled syrup, the remaining 1 ½ cups water, and the lime juice and stir the limeade well.

Divide the limeade among the tall glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish each drink with a lime slice, cucumber slice and/or candied ginger.

Other options include: adding a splash of soda water; adding booze (gin!); or the juice of half of a cucumber.